Methods and compositions for increasing the hatchability of hatchery eggs

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method for the hatching of hatchery eggs including: (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition including a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the egg&#39;s shell; and (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur; wherein the yield of hatching of the hatchery eggs is improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a). Further provided is a composition for the treating of hatchery eggs prior to incubation, where the composition includes a coating agent, and where the composition improves the hatching yield of the hatchery eggs.

This is a Divisional Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as adivision of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/522,628, filed on Jan.14, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,798 which was a National PhaseApplication filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 as a national stage ofPCT/IL2008/000050, filed on Jan. 10, 2008, an application claiming thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/879,527, filed on Jan. 10, 2007, the content of each of which ishereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatinghatchery eggs.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There is an increasing demand for fowl and fowl eggs, includingdomesticated fowl (poultry which include chickens, turkeys, ducks andgeese) and wild or endangered fowl breeds.

In case of poultry the demand is mainly directed to the increase ofproductivity of farms producing eggs and meat. The poultry industry hasgrown to a large scale manufacturing industry in which more thanthousands of chickens and tens of thousands of eggs are produced dailyat single poultry farms or egg laying installations. Hence it is ofgreat industrial importance to achieve greater production of eggs andalso to increase the durability of the eggs while incubating andhatching. These considerations are also of high importance in case whenconsidering wild fowl or endangered breeds, wherein the continuation ofthe breed is the main goal.

The ability of a developing embryo to breath during the incubationprocess occurs by the diffusion of gases through the shell. Duringincubation, an egg must lose a certain amount of its weight, mainly bythe loss of water. The rate of water loss from an egg can influence therate of embryonic development, pre-pipping oxygen consumption rate,metabolic rate, and gas exchange.

De Smit et al. [Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A, 145(2006) 166-175] has shown that the gaseous environment in the incubatorand more specifically the carbon dioxide concentration is an importantparameter that can improve embryonic development and post-hatch bodyweight of broilers when applied at the crucial periods duringincubation. Chicks incubated under increased CO₂ during the first 10days had a faster embryonic growth and hatch earlier.

Even in controlled laying and incubation conditions several problemsoccur, which pose a significant predicament on the productions of eggand fowl. Poor results are most commonly encountered with impropercontrol of temperature and/or humidity. When the temperature or humidityis either too high or too low for a sufficient length of incubationtime, it creates severe problems in the shell condition and hence maycause abnormal growth and development of the embryo. Additional problemsare encountered when improper ventilation, egg turning and sanitation ofthe environment. Moreover, penetration of the hatching egg shell bymicroorganisms results in embryonic mortality, weak egg shells, weakchicks, high chick mortality, and poor chick growth and quality foreating, laying or breeding. Furthermore, the intense genetic selectionof poultry for increased body size and growth rates has adverselyaffected the efficiency of poultry production by causing low averagehatchability rates for the eggs for many strains of domestic poultry.

Efforts to increase the hatchability of poultry eggs have includedoptimizing the environmental conditions during egg incubation, injectionof antibiotics into eggs to control disease and treatment of the eggswith a fumigant or other type of disinfectant to reduce the number ofmicroorganisms on the shell surface. In addition, sanitation of thehatchery building, hatchery equipment, egg transportation equipment,etc., is critical to good hatchability and high quality hatchlings.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,649 discloses a method and apparatus for introducingtreatment materials (medicinal and food materials) into avian hatchingeggs.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,834 relates to a method of causing adjuvants whichmay be in a liquid carrier to pass into the interior of an avian eggthrough the intact shell thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,564 discloses thatthe strength of poultry eggs can be substantially enhanced by adding asmall amount of zeolite A to the diet of the laying poultry. Similarly,U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,882 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,883 disclose that foodutilization and liveability are increased when a small amount of zeoliteA is added to the diet of poultry.

Several methods of directly treating the shell of poultry eggs are knownin the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,359 discloses that the preliminary treatment of eggswith hydrogen peroxide decreases their contamination with microorganismsand increases the hatchability of the eggs treated.

Sanders and Wilson, [Avian Diseases, vol. 43, is. 2, pp. 227-233, 1999]demonstrated that treatment of eggs with hydrogen peroxide brings downthe hatchery's bacterial contamination, yet it had no effect on eitherhatchability or livability of broiler stock. It did not affect theirweight up to 42-day age. At the same time the loss of moisture was notedfrom eggs during their hatching, which could confirm a higher intensityof the metabolic processes in the eggs.

Xie et al., [Journal of Food Science 2002, 67:280-284] showed thatcoating of egg shells with edible materials such as soy protein isolate,whey protein isolate, carboxymethyl cellulose, and wheat glutenincreased the mechanical properties of the treated egg shell. The studysuggested that such coatings can enhance the mechanical properties ofshell eggs (improve puncture strength), minimize egg microbialcontamination, and may help reduce economical loss from breakage. Suchimproved properties of shells were also shown by Wong et al. [PoultryScience 1996 75:417-422], wherein shell coating was performed withmineral oils, egg albumin, soy protein isolate, wheat galoten, and cornzein.

EP0321 627 discloses a method of increasing the quality of a poultrychick wherein a small amount of zeolite is added directly to the poultryegg prior to hatching of the poultry chick. U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,585 alsodiscloses a method of improving the hatching parameters of poultry eggswhich comprises incubating the egg in specified conditions thereafterplacing the incubated egg in a water suspension of zeolite.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,045 discloses a method for stimulating the growth ofbone tissue in poultry, said method comprising treating a fertile birdegg prior to the hatching of a chick therefrom with an effective amountof a physiologically acceptable organic silicon compound.

US patent application 2005/0028741 relates to a method comprising:contacting eggs with a solution comprising a halide, thereafterincubating the eggs under conditions to promote hatch of the eggs.

WO 03/001921 discloses compositions for coating fruits, vegetables, fowleggs, especially for organic grown produce, for protection and extensionof shelf life of the fruits, vegetables, and fowl eggs.

Thus there is a widely recognized need and it will be highlyadvantageous to have a new method and composition for improving thehatching of hatchery eggs, which is inert, does not cause adverseeffect, simplified in use, and yet which is capable of improving thehatching of hatchery eggs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for hatching of hatchery eggscomprising:

-   -   (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition        comprising a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of        the egg's shell; and    -   (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to        occur; wherein the yield of hatching of said hatchery eggs is        improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in        (a).

The invention additionally relates to a composition for treating ofhatchery eggs prior to incubation, wherein said composition comprising acoating agent, and wherein said composition improves the hatching yieldof said hatchery eggs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the findings that it is possible toincrease the hatching yield of hatchery eggs using a coating compositioncomprising a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of theegg's shell. Surprisingly it was found that treating hatchery eggs witha coating composition to form a coating on the egg's shell increasessignificantly the hatching yield of the hatching eggs as compared tocontrol eggs treated under the same conditions as the hatching eggs butnot contacted (treated) with the coating composition.

Thus, the invention relates to a method for hatching of hatchery eggscomprising:

-   (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition    comprising a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the    egg's shell; and-   (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur;    wherein the yield of hatching of said hatchery eggs is improved as    compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a).

As used herein the term “hatchery eggs” refers: especially but notlimited to poultry egg, including for example chickens, turkeys, goose,ostrich, ducks, quails. Preferably the poultry egg are chickens orturkeys.

As used herein the term “coating agent” refers to a substance or mixtureof substances from artificial or natural source that when applied ontothe surface of the egg's shell adheres to the egg's shell surface andforms a continuous or non-continuous coating thereon.

The coating agent is preferably a material that is capable by itself offorming a coating on the surface of the egg's shell, which may, be acontinuous or non-continuous coating.

The coating formed of the eggs shell may be a solid, semi-solid or aliquid coating. Preferably, the coating formed on the egg's shellsurface using the coating agent is a solid or semisolid coating.

The coating may be a “continuous coating” coating a substantial portionof the egg's shell surface such that a continuous network (e.g.continuous film) on the egg's shell surface is formed. Examples ofcoating agents capable of forming a continuous coating are water solublecoating agents such as water soluble polymers, polysaccharides, watersoluble proteins. Such water soluble coating agents are dissolved in anaqueous-based vehicle. The coating may also be a “non-continuouscoating” yielding coating spots or patches (to be referred collectivelyas coating patches) of the coating agent on a substantial portion of theegg's shell surface. It is appreciated that part of the coating patchesmay be connected to each other in certain areas. Alternatively, thecoating patches may be unconnected forming individual patches on thesurface of the egg's shell. Examples of compositions which may yieldcoating patches as described above are dispersions of waxes in thecomposition vehicle (preferably an aqueous-based vehicle).

It is appreciated that due to the inhomogeneous surface structure of theshell surface due to the porosity of the shell surface, the coatingformed thereon may have—a rough texture.

The coating formed on the egg's surface is preferably a breathingcoating (or film) having a suitable porosity such that gas exchangethrough the egg's shell is enabled (i.e the coating has good gaspermeability).

It is preferable that the coating agent does not penetrate through theshell.

In a preferred embodiment, the coating formed is characterized in thatit is preferably not substantially absorbed through the egg's shell tothe interior of the egg.

The improvement in hatching yield may be compared to control eggstreated in an identical manner (i.e. stored, incubated, etc. under thesame condition) as the hatching eggs but not treated with a coatingcomposition as defined in (a).

The improvement in hatch yield may be determined by comparing thehatching yield of eggs incubated following treatment of the egg shellsurface with a coating composition as defined herein to eggs similarlyhandled and incubated but not treated in this manner (referred to ascontrol eggs). An improvement in hatch yield (% improvement overhatching yield of non-treated eggs) may be an improvement of at leastabout 0.3%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 13%, 15% and attimes even of at least about 20%. The improvement of hatching yield needto be compared with eggs that were subjected to the same handling (e.g.eggs stored for a similar time period after being laid) prior toincubation as those treated in accordance with the invention. Theimprovement in the hatch yield may, for example, be calculated asdescribed in the examples under Testing Parameters, referring to theparameter difference from control (%).

The control eggs are hatching eggs of the same flock and species as thehatching eggs treated with the coating composition, which were laid atthe same period of time as the hatching eggs treated with the coatingcomposition, and treated under the same conditions (incubating, whereapplicable storing, etc.) as the hatching eggs treated with the coatingcomposition.

According to a preferred embodiment inorganic materials are excludedfrom the coating agent. According to this preferred embodiment thecoating agent does not include inorganic materials.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the coatingagent is an organic material (i.e. composed of an organic compound). Incase of polymers, according to this preferred embodiment a coating agentwhich is an organic material means that the polymeric backbone incomposed of an organic material.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the coating agent is selected from polymers, polysaccharides,lipids, proteins, natural resins, hydrocarbons, synthetic and naturallatexes, and mixtures thereof. More preferably the coating agent is alipid.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thepolymer is a water soluble polymer.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the water soluble polymer is selected from polyvinyl alcohol,polyoxyethylene, polyethyleneglycol, polyacrylamide,polyvinyilpyrrolidone, polymethylvinylpyridine, and mixtures thereof.The water soluble polymer may also be a copolymer of any of the above.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention—the polymer is a natural modified polymer.

Preferably the natural modified polymer is selected fromcarboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, modified starches, and mixturesthereof.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the polysaccharide is selected from pectin, tree gums, guargum, agar, xanthane gum, alginate, and mixtures thereof.

The tree gum may be gum Arabic from acacia tree.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thelipid is selected from vegetable oils, natural waxes, and mixturesthereof. Most preferably the lipids are natural waxes.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the vegetable oil is selected from olive oil, rapeseed oil,corn oil, soybean oil, lecithin, palm oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil,cotton seed oil, Jojoba oil, and mixtures thereof.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe natural waxes are selected from Carnauba wax, Candalilla wax,berrywax, lanolin, beeswax, montan wax, and mixtures thereof. Mostpreferably the natural wax is beeswax. Montan wax is also known aslignite wax.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the protein is selected from albumin, casein, gelatin,gluteine, and mixtures thereof. The albumin may be egg albumin.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thenatural resin is selected from Olibanum, Myrrha, Shellac, Rosin, andmixtures thereof.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the hydrocarbon is selected from hard paraffins, mineral oils,vaseline, ceresin, ozocerite, and mixtures thereof.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe latex (natural and synthetic latex) is selected frombutadiene-styrene latex, carboxylate latex, polystyrene latex, Heveabrasiliensis tree latex, Ficus elastica tree latex, and mixturesthereof.

Natural latexes may be for example brasiliensis tree latex, Ficuselastica tree latex, and mixtures thereof.

Synthetic latexes may be for example butadiene-styrene latex,carboxylate latex, polystyrene latex, and mixtures thereof.

butadiene-styrene latex-can be obtained from Lukoil, Russia (Bulex®L-105, L-108, L-110).

Carboxylate latex can be obtained from Voronezh branch of FGUP NIISK,Russia (e.g. Latex tradename: BN-30GK, BN-40GK, BSN-GK, BS-55GK,BS-65GK, BS-75GK, BM-65GK lattices) and may refer to a product ofemulsifier-free seed emulsion copolymerization of various monomers(butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate).

Polystyrene latex can be obtained from Ted Pella, Inc., USA (productname: polystyrene latex sphere) and is comprised of a solid polymermicrospheres composed of polysterene.

Hevea brasiliensis tree latex can be obtained from Raintree Nutrition,Inc., USA.

The latex can be obtained by cutting the bark of this tree whichreleases the latex which can then be collected, preserved, andstabilized.

Ficus elastica tree latex can be obtained by an aqueous extraction fromficus tree.

When a range of values is indicated in the present invention, the symbol“-” has the meaning of “to”. Thus, for example “0.1-5%” means “1 to 5%”,“36-39° C.” means “36 to 39° C”, etc. “-” and “to” may be usedinterchangeably in the present invention.

Preferably the concentration of said coating agent based on the totalweight of the composition is in the range 0.01 to 8% w/w, morepreferably 0.01 to 5% w/w, and most preferably 0.01 to 4% w/w.

When polymers are used as coating agents preferably their concentrationis in the range 0.1-5% w/w (0.1 to 5% w/w), and more preferably 0.1-3%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When polysaccharides are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.1 -5% w/w, and more preferably 0.1-3%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When lipids are used as coating agents preferably their concentration isin the range 0.01-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.02-4% w/w, based on thetotal weight of the composition.

When proteins are used as coating agents preferably their concentrationis in the range 0.1-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.1-3% w/w, based on thetotal weight of the composition.

When natural resins are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.05-3% w/w, and more preferably 0.05-1.5%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When hydrocarbons are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.05-2%w/w, and more preferably 0.1-1%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When synthetic and natural latexes are used as coating agents preferablytheir concentration is in the range 0.1-5%w/w, and more preferably0.1-3% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition may comprise a vehicle. However, for certain coatingagents the composition may not necessarily comprise a vehicle. Forexample when waxes are used as coating agents, they may be heated untilthey are liquefied and then for example sprayed on the egg's shellsurface to form a coating thereon. Most preferably when waxes or othercoating agents are used, the composition comprises a vehicle.

Preferably the composition comprises a vehicle. Preferably the vehicleis a liquid vehicle (carrier). Most preferably the vehicle (e.g. liquidvehicle) is an aqueous-based vehicle. The vehicle may further comprisealcohol. The alcohol may be for example ethanol, butanol, isopropanol,and mixtures thereof.

The alcohol content may be up to 20% w/w based on the total weight ofwater and alcohol in the vehicle. Preferably the alcohol content isabove zero and up to 20% w/w, more preferably the alcohol content is inthe range 3 to 12% w/w, based on the total weight of water and alcoholin the vehicle.

The composition may further comprise hygroscopic agents. The hygroscopicagents may be salts (such as ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calciumchloride, zinc chloride, magnesium chloride, or mixtures thereof) ororganic compounds (e.g. glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ormixtures thereof), or mixtures of any of the above.

The concentration of the hygroscopic agent based on the total weight ofthe composition may be in the range 0.01-3% w/w and more preferably0.2-3% w/w.

The coating agent may be water-soluble or water dispersible.

The composition may further comprise an additive such as anantimicrobial agent; an antiseptic agent; an antioxidant agent (toprevent oxidation of natural oils and other components in thecomposition); odors; preservatives; and mixtures thereof. Suchadditional components may include various natural essential oils andbalms as well as synthetic products having corresponding properties(i.e. antimicrobial, antiseptic, etc. mentioned above).

The composition may further comprise a member selected from anemulsifying agent (such as tween, span), suspending agents, viscositymodifiers, alkali agent (such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate,potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide), and mixtures thereof. The alkali agent functions byneutralizing part of the free fatty acids present in the coating agent(such as natural wax, for example beeswax) thus granting emulsificationproperties to the wax.

Thus, the final form of the composition may be a solution where thecoating agent is dissolved in the vehicle and optionally the additivesare dissolved or dispersed in the vehicle. The final form of thecomposition may also be a dispersion where the coating agent isdispersed in the vehicle and optionally the additives are dissolved ordispersed in the vehicle. Examples of such dispersions are waxes asmentioned above dispersed in an aqueous based vehicle. It is appreciatedthat the term dispersions encompasses solid or semi-solid material (suchas waxes) dispersed in a vehicle as well as emulsions where liquidglobules are dispersed in the vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thehatchery egg is a poultry egg selected from chickens, turkeys, goose,ostrich, ducks, and quails.

According to one preferred embodiment the hatchery egg is a non-organichatchery egg, more preferably non-organic poultry egg.

According to another preferred embodiment the hatchery egg is an organichatchery egg, more preferably organic poultry egg. Where the egg is anorganic hatchery egg, the coating compositions to be used should complywith organic agricultural rules. In such a case the coating compositionshould be such that all its components are acceptable for use in organicproduce, the principal components (coating agents) of the compositionsshould be of natural biological origin, and the optional components havesuch a high grade of purity and non-toxicity that they are approved bythe U.S. Food & Drug Administration for use in “biopure” products. Thenatural biological coating components are preferably derived from theirbiological sources with minimal chemical intervention, such as by gentleextraction and pressing methods, and not by chemical synthesis, and thusthe components and the end-product they form, are free of syntheticadditives. Examples of compositions suitable for organic agriculturaluse and their method of preparation are described in WO 03/001921,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples ofcompositions which are suitable for organic agricultural use aredescribed for example in experiment # 2 compositions 3,4,5, experiment #3 compositions 2,4,5, experiment # 5 compositions 2,3,4,5, experiment #6 compositions 2,3,4,5, experiment # 7 composition 3, experiment # 8compositions 2,3, experiment # 10 composition 5, and experiment # 11composition 2, of the present invention.

Preferably treating of the eggs is performed by means of spraying,brushing or dipping.

Preferably the improvement in hatching yield is at least 0.3%—ascompared to the control eggs.

The improvement in hatching yield may be significantly higher forexample about 25% (e.g. in case of storage prior to incubation). Storageprior to incubation may cause increase in hatching yield than incubationof eggs without storage. However, in reality, storage prior toincubation is sometimes unavoidable. In such case storage can yieldhigher hatching yield than without storage. Even in the case of eggswithout prior storage, there may be an increase in hatching yield.

The improvement in hatching yield may be for example at least 1%, atleast 1.5%, at least 2% at least 5%, at least 8%, at least 10%, at least15% at least 20% as compared to the control eggs. The improvements inhatching yield maybe as indicated above and up to about 25%. Theimprovements in hatching yield may be as indicated above and up to about25%, in case of normal conditions as defined below, and storage of up to21 days.

The improvement in hatching yield depends on the storing, and incubationconditions. Generally, as the storing and incubation conditions areinferior for example in the case of a fault (such as an electricalfault) the hatching yield may be significantly higher.

Under normal condition (i.e. without any fault in storage or incubationconditions), improvement in hatching yield (as function of the storingperiod) may be as follows:

Without storage (0 days of storage) the hatching yield may be in therange 0.3 to 12%, or in the range 0.3% to 10.3%.

For 7 days of storage the hatching yield may be in the range 1 to 18%,or in the range 1.5 to 16.2%.

For 14 days of storage the hatching yield may be in the range 2 to 16%,or in the range 2.4 to 15.7%.

For 21 days of storage the hatching yield may be in the range 8 to 25%,or in the range 8.8 to 22.2%.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention theconditions (i.e. the incubation conditions) are selected fromcontrolling temperature, relative humidity, and any combination thereof.

Preferably the temperature is in the range 36-39 ° C. (36 to 39 ° C.),and most preferably 36 to 38 ° C.

Preferably the relative humidity is in the range 50 to 80%. The relativehumidity may be in the range 50 to 60%.

For chickens, the temperature is preferably in the range 36 to 37.7° C.,and the relative humidity is preferably in the range 53 to 60%.

For turkey, the temperature is preferably in the range 36 to 37.1° C.,and the relative humidity is preferably in the range 53 to 80%.

For ducks, the temperature is preferably in the range 36 to 37.8° C.,and the relative humidity is preferably in the range 53 to 80%.

For goose, the temperature is preferably in the range 36 to 38.1° C.,and the relative humidity is preferably in the range 53 to 80%.

The incubation conditions which may be used are described in NiradaLeksrisompong, Effect of temperature during incubation and brooding onbroiler chickens, Master of Science thesis submitted to the GraduateFaculty of North Carolina State University, 2005, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Various conditions for obtaining improved hatchability are described inManagement of Hatching Eggs and Broiler Performance, 1 May 2002, G. D.Butcher and Amir H. Nilipour, University of Florida, IFAS extension,1-4, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Sanitation conditions for hatching eggs and its affect on hatchabilityare described in Henry R. Wilson, Hatching Egg Sanitation, August, 1997,pages 1-3, University of Florida, IFAS extension, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The coating composition may further comprise an additive selected froman antimicrobial agent, an antiseptic agent, an antioxidant agent, apreservative, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably treating in step (a) comprises contacting the eggs with thecoating composition and allowing the vehicle to evaporate to form acoating made of the coating agent on the egg's shell.

The method may further comprise prior to step (a) storing of the eggs.The storage may be for a period of up to 21 days.

The method may further comprise after step (a) and before step (b)storing of the eggs. The storage may be for a period of up to 21 days.

In case of storage, the eggs are preferably stored at a temperaturerange of 10-17° C. Preferably the eggs are stored at a temperature inthe range of 12-17° C. The relative humidity is preferably in the range50-53%.

Thus, the treatment of the eggs by the coating composition may be priorto their loading into the hatchery or prior to storage.

The invention additionally relates to a composition for treating ofhatchery eggs, wherein said composition comprising a coating agent, andwherein said composition improves the hatching yield of said hatcheryeggs.

The invention further relates to a composition for treating of hatcheryeggs prior to incubation, wherein said composition comprising a coatingagent, and wherein said composition improves the hatching yield of saidhatchery eggs.

Preferably the composition is for use in methods as described in thepresent invention.

The improvement in hatching yield may be compared to control eggstreated in an identical manner (i.e. stored, incubated, etc. under thesame condition) but not treated with a coating composition. Theimprovement may be as described above with respect to the method.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the coatingagent is an organic material (i.e. composed of an organic compound). Incase of polymers, according to this preferred embodiment a coating agentwhich is an organic material means that the polymeric backbone incomposed of an organic material.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the coating agent is selected from polymers, polysaccharides,lipids, proteins, natural resins, hydrocarbons, synthetic and naturallatexes, and mixtures thereof. More preferably the coating agent is alipid.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thepolymer is a water soluble polymer.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the water soluble polymer is selected from polyvinyl alcohol,polyoxyethylene, polyethyleneglycol, polyacrylamide,polyvinyilpyrrolidone, polymethylvinylpyridine, and mixtures thereof.The water soluble polymer may also be a copolymer of any of the above.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe polymer is a natural modified polymer.

Preferably the natural modified polymer is selected fromcarboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, modified starches, and mixturesthereof.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the polysaccharide is selected from pectin, tree gums, guargum, agar, xanthane gum, alginate, and mixtures thereof.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thelipid is selected from vegetable oils, natural waxes, and mixturesthereof. Most preferably the lipids are natural waxes.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the vegetable oil is selected from olive oil, rapeseed oil,corn oil, soybean oil, lecithin, palm oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil,cotton seed oil, Jojoba oil, and mixtures thereof.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe natural waxes are selected from Carnauba wax, Candalilla wax,berrywax, lanolin, beeswax, montan wax, and mixtures thereof.

Additionally according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the protein is selected from albumin, casein, gelatin,gluteine, and mixtures thereof. The albumin may be egg albumin.

Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thenatural resin is selected from Olibanum, Myrrha, Shellac, Rosin, andmixtures thereof.

Still further according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the hydrocarbon is selected from hard paraffins, mineral oils,vaseline, ceresin, ozocerite, and mixtures thereof.

Moreover according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe latex is selected from butadiene-styrene latex, carboxylate latex,polystyrene latex, Hevea brasiliensis tree latex, Ficus elastica treelatex, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably the concentration of said coating agent based on the totalweight of the composition is in the range 0.01 to 8% w/w, morepreferably 0.01 to 5% w/w, and most preferably 0.01 to 4% w/w.

When polymers are used as coating agents preferably their concentrationis in the range 0.1-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.1-3% w/w, based on thetotal weight of the composition.

When polysaccharides are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.1-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.1-3%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When lipids are used as coating agents preferably their concentration isin the range 0.01-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.02-4% w/w, based on thetotal weight of the composition.

When proteins are used as coating agents preferably their concentrationis in the range 0.1-5% w/w, and more preferably 0.1-3% w/w, based on thetotal weight of the composition.

When natural resins are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.05-3% w/w, and more preferably 0.05-1.5%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When hydrocarbons are used as coating agents preferably theirconcentration is in the range 0.05-2%w/w, and more preferably 0.1-1%w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

When synthetic and natural latexes are used as coating agents preferablytheir concentration is in the range 0.1-5%w/w, and more preferably0.1-3% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition may comprise a vehicle. However, for certain coatingagents the composition may not necessarily comprise a vehicle. Forexample when waxes are used as coating agents, they may be heated untilthey are liquefied and then for example sprayed on the egg's shellsurface to form a coating thereon. Most preferably when waxes or othercoating agents are used, the composition comprises a vehicle.

Preferably the composition comprises a vehicle. Preferably the vehicleis a liquid vehicle (carrier). Most preferably the vehicle (e.g. liquidvehicle) is an aqueous-based vehicle. The vehicle may further comprisealcohol (such as described above with respect to the method section).

The alcohol content may be up to 20% w/w based on the total weight ofwater and alcohol in the vehicle.

Preferably the alcohol content is above zero and up to 20% w/w based onthe total weight of water and alcohol in the vehicle, more preferablythe alcohol content is in the range 3 to 12% w/w.

The composition may further comprise hygroscopic agents. The hygroscopicagents may be salts (such as ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calciumchloride, zinc chloride, magnesium chloride, or mixtures thereof), ororganic compounds (e.g. glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ormixtures thereof), or mixtures of any of the above.

The concentration of the hygroscopic agent based on the total weight ofthe composition may be in the range 0.01-3% w/w and more preferably0.2-3% w/w.

The coating agent may be water-soluble or water dispersible.

The composition may further comprise an additive such as anantimicrobial agent; an antiseptic agent; an antioxidant agent (toprevent oxidation of natural oils and other components in thecomposition); odors, preservatives, and mixtures thereof. Suchadditional components may include various natural essential oils andbalms as well as synthetic products having corresponding properties(i.e. antimicrobial, antiseptic, etc. mentioned above).

Thus, the final form of the composition may be a solution where thecoating agent is dissolved in the vehicle and optionally the additivesare dissolved or dispersed in the vehicle. The final form of thecomposition may also be a dispersion where the coating agent isdispersed in the vehicle and optionally the additives are dissolved ordispersed in the vehicle. Examples of such dispersions are waxes asmentioned above dispersed in an aqueous based vehicle. It is appreciatedthat the term dispersions encompasses solid or semi-solid material (suchas waxes) dispersed in a vehicle as well as emulsions where liquidglobules are dispersed in the vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thehatchery egg is a poultry egg selected from chickens, turkeys, goose,ostrich, ducks, and quails.

Preferably treating of the eggs is performed by means of spraying,brushing or dipping.

Preferably the improvement in hatching yield is at least 0.3% ascompared to the control eggs. The improvement in hatching yield may beas described above in the present invention with respect to the method.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention theconditions (i.e. the incubation conditions) are selected fromcontrolling temperature, relative humidity, and any combination thereof.

The temperature and humidity conditions maybe as described above in thepresent invention with respect to the method section.

Preferably treating of the eggs comprises contacting the eggs with thecoating composition and allowing the vehicle to evaporate to form acoating made of the coating agent on the egg's shell.

The treatment of the eggs by the coating composition may be prior totheir loading into the hatchery or prior to storage as described aboveunder the method part.

The compositions components, optional additives, their concentrations,the form of the final compositions, the incubation and storingconditions, etc. may be as described above in the present invention withrespect to the method of hatching.

The composition described in the invention may be used in any one of themethods described in the invention.

EXAMPLES

Preparation of Coating Formulations

The coating formulations used in the specified examples were preparedusing standard and known methods in the art.

When the formulation contained water soluble coating agents, e.g.,polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl-cellulose, gelatin, guar gum, albumin,the solutions were obtained upon dissolving the coating agents in thedesired concentration in water (or water alcoholic mixture) whilestirring.

In order to achieve the water-based dispersions using hydrophobiccoating agents, such as lipids, natural resins, paraffins, mineral oils,intensive mixing (up to 25,000 rpm, using an homogenizer) was preformedwith water (or water alcoholic mixture) in the presence of an emulsifieragent.

For hydrophobic coating agents such as lipids and paraffins thehydrophobic coating agent was heated 10-20 ° C. above its melting point.The aqueous medium (e.g. water) was heated at least to the temperatureto which the hydrophobic material (coating agent) was heated. Theaqueous medium and the hydrophobic material were combined andhomogenized. The emulsifier was added prior to homogenization to theaqueous medium or hydrophobic material, depending on its solubility (forexample water soluble emulsifying agent such as tween was dissolved inthe aqueous medium).

Emulsions using mineral oil were prepared by the same proceduredescribed above for lipids and paraffins, without heating.

For dispersions based on natural resins, a salt of the resin was formedin an aqueous medium by adding an alkali agent (e.g. sodium carbonate,potassium carbonate, etc.) in room temperature and homogenization wasperformed to form a dispersion.

Procedures for preparation of the dispersions are also described in WO03/001921 & EP 1399026, incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

Eggs Type

The various formulations of the invention were tested on two eggspecies:

-   -   Chicken eggs (Ross and Cobb breeds)    -   Turkey eggs (Nicolas breed)

Immediately after collection of the laid eggs and before storing andhatching (incubating), the eggs were divided into two groups: controlgroup and experimental observed group (the experimental observed groupwas treated with the coating composition).

Over the study period, the hatchability of over 100,000 eggs was tested.Each test group consisted of at least 256 eggs (i.e. the experimentalobserved group consisted of at least 256 eggs, and the control groupconsisted of at least 256 eggs). Each experimental observed group wascompared to a respective control group. The control group was treatedunder identical conditions (i.e. the same storage conditions, incubationconditions, and any other handling conditions used for the experimentalobserved group), with the difference that the control group was nottreated with the coating composition.

Treatment of the Eggs

Prior to storage, the experimental observed eggs were sprayed (orimmersed or brushed) with the coating composition to form a coatingthereon. In case the eggs were not stored they were treated with thecoating composition and transferred directly to incubation.

Storage and Hatchery Conditions

Prior to hatching of the eggs, the eggs were stored for 0, 7, 14 or 21days in the air ventilated room, with temperature at about 14° C. “0”days means that the eggs were not stored prior to hatching.

Hatching was performed using box type hatcher with capacity of 4,500chicken eggs. Within the box type hatcher, the eggs were re-positioned.Eggs were subsequently transferred (on the 18^(th) day for chickens andon the 24^(th) day for turkeys) to a hatcher in the main hatchery areafor additional 3-4 days (which is similar to the box type hatcher, butwithout movement of the eggs). In the box type hatcher the temperaturewas 37.5° C. and the relative humidity level was 50%. These conditionswere sustained throughout the entire hatching time in the box typehatcher. Within the hatcher, the temperature was sustained at a level of37.5° C. and 53% relative humidity level.

Testing Parameters

Subsequent to the hatching of the eggs the various parameters of thehatchability of the eggs were analyzed using the waste of hatching (thewaste of hatching refers to the residual material (non-hatched eggs)such as unfertile eggs, cracked eggs, etc. as described below). Theestimation of the hatchability level (hatching rate in %) in theobserved group and the control group, was preformed taking intoconsideration only the “potential hatching eggs”. All eggs which innormal (ideal) conditions were in feasibility to produce chicks weretaken into consideration (referred here as “potential hatching eggs”).The sum of the “potential hatching eggs” was based on the number of thehatched eggs and the number of non-hatched eggs excluding the eggs whichwere non-hatched due to the following parameters: non-fertility,contamination, crakes in the egg's shell, invert eggs.

After completion of the study the non-hatched eggs were analyzedaccording to the above-mentioned parameters.

The hatch rate (%) was calculated as the percentage of the hatched eggsfrom the total sum of the potential hatching eggs.

The difference from control (%) was calculated as follows: (100X/C)−100,where X is the hatch rate of the observed group treated with the coatingcomposition and C is the hatch rate of the control group.

During the testing process, eggs were not categorized according to theirsize, form and other physical characteristics.

In the compositions described below the composition components in %refer to w/w percentage based on the total weight of the composition.

Experiments 1-11 were conducted on chicken eggs. Experiment 12 wasconducted on turkey eggs.

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 87.4 77.8 71.8 2Polyvinyl alcohol 1% 95.6 +9.4 86.8 +11.6 82.3 +14.6 Water up to 100% 3Polyvinylpyrrolidone 0.5% 91.7 +4.9 90.4 +16.2 83.1 +15.7 Ethanol 8%Water up to 100% 4 Copolymer of polyacrylamide 93.5 +7.0 88.1 +13.2 82.3+14.6 and poly methylvinylpyridine (weight ratio 40/60) 0.3% Ethanol 8%Water up to 100% 5 Polyethylene glycol (M.W. 89.6 +2.5 87.7 +12.7 81.7+13.8 1000) 1.7% Water up to 100%

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 84.5 81.2 75 2Carboxymethyl cellulose 2% Butanol 2% Water up to 100% 90.3 +6.9 85.9+5.8 86.7 +15.6 3 Guar gum 0.2% Ethanol 20% Water up to 100% 93.2 +10.384.8 +4.4 84 +12.0 4 Pectin 0.3% Ethanol 15% Water up to 100% 91.5 +8.385.3 +5.0 83.6 +11.5 5 Sodium alginate 0.5% Ethanol 10% Water up to 100%88.9 +5.2 83.7 +3.1 81.9 +9.2

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 85.1 78.2 74.5 2 EggAlbumin 1% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 89.5 +5.2 82.7 +5.7 78.6 +5.5 3Sodium caseinate 3% Isopropanol 10% Water up to 100% 90.3 +6.1 83.4 +6.677.9 +4.6 4 Gelatine 0.7% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 92 +8.1 85.4 +9.282.7 +11.0 5 Soybean protein 0.5% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 88.7 +4.282.2 +5.1 77.8 +4.4

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 89.2 82.4 78.2 2Butadiene-styrene latex 0.1% Polyoxyethelene 0.3% Isopropanol 5% Waterup to 100% 91.6 +2.7 85.4 +3.6 81 +3.6 3 Polystyrene latex 0.2% Water upto 100% 90.8 +1.8 86.7 +5.2 82.2 +5.1 4 Ficus elastica tree latex 0.15%Ethylcellulose 0.6% Butanol 5% Water up to 100% 91.1 +2.1 85.1 +3.3 80.7+3.2 5 Hevea brasiliensis tree latex 0.4% Water up to 100% 91.5 +2.686.2 +4.6 80.4 +2.8 Note: The concentration of latexes in the finalcomposition refers to the concentration of the “dry matter” of thelatex.

Days of Storage 0 7 14 21 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference Difference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Hatch (%from Compound Composition (%) control) (%) control) (%) control) rate(%) control) 1 Control 85.9 80.3 76.7 67.9 2 Beeswax 1% Ethanol 4%Sodium Carbonate ~0.06% (until pH level 9) Water up to 100% 90.3 +5.187.1 +8.5 80.8 +5.3 76.4 +12.5 3 Beeswax 0.4% Olive oil 0.1% Ethanol 12%Sodium Carbonate ~0.02% (until pH level 8.5) Water up to 100% 91.5 +6.586.3 +7.5 78.7 +2.6 77.4 +14.0 4 Beeswax 1% Jojoba oil 0.5% Ethanol 10%Sodium Carbonate ~0.06% (until pH level 9) Water up to 100% 89.6 +4.385.8 +6.8 79.5 +3.6 73.9 +8.8 5 Berrywax 4% Lecithin 1% Ethanol 12%Potassium hydroxide ~0.15% (until pH level 8.5) Water up to 100% 92.1+7.2 86.4 +7.6 82.3 +7.3 75 +10.5

Days of Storage 0 7 14 21 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference Difference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Hatch (%from Compound Composition (%) control) (%) control) (%) control) rate(%) control) 1 Control 84.2 78.9 73.9 64.8 2 Candelilla wax 0.8% Lecitin0.03% Ethanol 12% Sodium Carbonate ~0.01% (until pH 8) Water up to 100%91.1 +8.2 86.7 +9.9 82.9 +12.2 78.4 +21.0 3 Beeswax 0.2% Carnauba wax0.2% Ethanol 12% Sodium Carbonate ~0.01% (until pH level 9) Water up to100% 92.5 +9.9 85.8 +8.7 83.6 +13.1 75.2 +16.0 4 Candelilla wax 0.3%Sybean oil 0.1% Lecithin 0.02% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 90.7 +7.7 87+10.3 84.7 +14.6 77.3 +19.3 5 Sunflower oil 0.15% Palm oil 0.15%Lecithin 1% Ethanol 10% Water up to 100% 89.2 +5.9 87.4 +10.8 81.8 +10.779.2 +22.2

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 87.6 83.8 77.8 2 Montanwax 1% Ethanol 6% Sodium Carbonate ~0.06% (until pH level 9) Water up to100% 92.7 +5.8 86.1 +3.4 81.9 +5.3 3 Lanolin 0.4% Beeswax 0.4% Ethanol10% Sodium Carbonate ~0.03 (until pH level 8) Water up to 100% 93.3 +6.585.9 +3.1 84.2 +8.2 4 Ceresine 0.7% Cotton seed oil 0.15% Lecithin 0.05%Ethanol 10% Water up to 100% 90.7 +3.5 85.8 +3.0 82.6 +6.2 5 Ceresine0.2% Rape oil 0.02% Lecitin 0.02% Ethanol 10% Water up to 100% 89.6 +2.386.4 +3.7 83.5 +7.3

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 88.9 85.7 82 2 Rosin0.3% Sodium Carbonate 0.15% Water up to 100% 89.7 +0.9 87.4 +2.0 84.3+2.8 3 Olibanum 0.5% Lecithin 0.2% Ethanol 8% Sodium Carbonate 0.01%Water up to 100% 91.2 +2.6 89.5 +4.4 84 +2.4 4 Shellac 0.4% SodiumCarbonate 0.15% Water up to 100% 89.2 +0.3 86.6 +1.1 86.4 +5.4 5 Rosin0.3% Myrrha 0.4% Shellac 0.1% Sodium Carbonate 0.5% Ethanol 5% Water upto 100% 91.5 +2.9 90.7 +5.8 85.1 +3.8

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 86.4 82.1 78.3 2Paraffin 0.2% (melting point 55-80° C.) Butanol 20% Tween 80 0.05% Waterup to 100% 88.9 +2.9 85.9 +4.6 84.2 +7.5 3 Paraffin 0.1% (melting point55-80° C.) Ozocerite 0.2% Butanol 5% Tween 80 0.1% Water up to 100% 87.6+1.4 86.4 +5.2 85.6 +9.3 4 Mineral oil 0.7% Butanol 10% Tween 80 0.1%Water up to 100% 88.2 +2.1 86.5 +5.4 82.7 +5.6 5 Vaseline 1% Tween 800.1% Water up to 100% 90 +4.2 87.4 +6.4 83.8 +7.0

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 91.6 84.8 80.6 2Ozocerite 0.5% Mineral oil 0.2% Isopropanol 10% Tween 80 0.1% Water upto 100% 93.2 +1.7 88.3 +4.1 85.1 +5.6 3 Paraffin 0.1% (melting point55-80° C.) Corn oil 0.2% Lecithin 0.5% Isopropanol 15% Tween 80 0.1%Water up to 100% 93.8 +2.4 86.1 +1.5 85.4 +5.9 4 Starch modified 1.5%Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 94 +2.6 88.9 +4.8 84.5 +4.8 5 Tree gum 0.5%Agar 0.1% Ethanol 15% Water up to 100% 92.8 +1.3 87.5 +3.2 83.7 +3.8

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 90.3 83.6 79 2 Rosin0.2% Xanthan gum 0.3% Ethanol 10% Sodium Carbonate 0.1% Water up to 100%94.6 +4.8 88.2 +5.5 85.7 +8.5 3 Carboxylate latex 0.2% Water up to 100%91.9 +1.8 85.2 +1.9 84.5 +7.0 4 Lanolin 0.6% Coconut oil 0.05% Lecithin0.05% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 93.8 +3.9 87.2 +4.3 83.8 +6.1 5Berrywax 1.2% Shellac 0.05% Ethanol 5% Sodium Carbonate 0.03% Water upto 100% 92.5 +2.4 90.3 +8.0 87.3 +10.5 Note: The concentration oflatexes in the final composition refers to the concentration of the “drymatter” of the latex.

Days of Storage 0 7 14 Hatch Difference Hatch Difference HatchDifference rate (% from rate (% from rate (% from Compound Composition(%) control) (%) control) (%) control) 1 Control 85.5 74.7 69.3 2Polyvinylpyrrolidone 0.5% Ethanol 8% Water up to 100% 90.2 +5.5 82.6+10.6 74.1 +6.9 3 Carboxymethyl cellulose 2% Butanol 2% Water up to 100%89.4 +4.6 82 +9.8 74 +6.8 4 Candelilla wax 0.3% Soybean oil 0.1%Lecithin 0.02% Ethanol 12% Water up to 100% 91.3 +6.8 80.6 +7.9 74.1+6.9 5 Paraffin 0.1% Corn oil 0.2% Lecithin 0.5% Isopropanol 15% Tween80 0.1% Water up to 100% 88.6 +3.6 78.5 +5.0 72.6 +4.8

In the above experiments:

Butadiene-styrene latex used is a water-polymer emulsion of butadieneand styrene (Butlex® L-108 obtained from Lukoil, USA).

Polyoxyethelene used refers to polyethelene oxide having a molecularweight of 300,000.

Polystyrene latex used comprises solid polymer microspheres composed ofpolysterene (1 micrometer). The polysterene latex (product name:Polystyrene latex sphere) was obtained from Ted Pella, Inc., USA.

Ficus elastica tree latex refers to an aqueous extraction from ficustree (Israel).

Hevea brasiliensis tree latex was obtained from Raintree Nutrition,Inc., USA.

Starch modified used is Vitex obtained from GFS Chemicals, USA (CAS #9005-84-9).

Tree gum used is gum Arabic from acacia tree (CAS # 9000-01-5) obtainedfrom Sigma-Aldrich.

Carboxylate latex used is BM-65GK (Latex trademark), a heteropolymercarboxylated lattice, obtained from Voronezh branch of FGUP NIISK,Russia. BM-65GK lattice is a product of emulsifier-free seed emulsioncopolymerization of butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate.

The above examples demonstrate that treatment with the coatingcompositions of the present invention will result in an increasedhatchability of hatchery eggs.

The proposed method may be successfully used not only to increase thehatchability of eggs designated for immediate hatchery but also in thecases requiring preliminary storage of eggs for the period of up to 2-3weeks.

While this invention has been shown and described with reference topreferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated in their entirety by referenceinto the specification, to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving hatching yield of hatcheryeggs, comprising: applying a coating composition to a surface of a shellof at least one hatchery egg, the coating composition comprising acoating agent and a liquid vehicle, the coating agent being present in aconcentration of from 0.01 to 8% w/w based on the total weight of thecoating composition and being selected from the group consisting of apolymer, a polysaccharide, a lipid, a protein, a natural wax, a naturalresin, a hydrocarbon and a latex, and mixtures thereof; evaporating theliquid vehicle from the coating composition to form a porous solid orsemi-solid coating over the surface of the shell; and incubating the atleast one hatchery egg under conditions sufficient to cause hatching,wherein the hatching yield of the at least one hatchery egg subjected tothe coating composition is greater than that the hatching yield of otherhatchery eggs that were not subjected to the coating composition.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises at least onewater soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyoxyethylene, polyacrylamide, polyvinyilpyrrolidone andpolymethylvinylpyridine.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein thepolymer comprises at least one natural modified polymer selected fromthe group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose andmodified starches.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thepolysaccharide comprises at least one polysaccharide selected from thegroup consisting of pectin, tree gums, guar gum, agar, xanthane gum andalginate.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lipidcomprises at least one vegetable oil selected from the group consistingof olive oil, rapeseed oil, lecithin, palm oil, coconut oil, sunfloweroil and Jojoba oil.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein thenatural wax comprises at least one wax selected from the groupconsisting of Carnauba wax, Candalilla wax, berrywax, lanolin, beeswaxand montan wax.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proteincomprises at least one protein selected from the group consisting ofalbumin, casein, gelatin and gluteine.
 8. The method according to claim1, wherein the natural resin comprises at least one natural resinselected from the group consisting of Olibanum, Myrrha, Shellac andRosin.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrocarboncomprises at least one hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting ofvaseline, ceresin, ozocerite a hard paraffin and mineral oil.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the latex comprises at least onelatex selected from the group consisting of butadiene-styrene latex,carboxylate latex, polystyrene latex, Hevea brasiliensis tree latex andFicus elastica tree latex.
 11. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe liquid vehicle comprises alcohol present in an amount of up to 20%w/w based on the total weight of water and alcohol in the vehicle.